IAJPS 2016, 3 (8), 788-793

Shweta Sao and Saurabh Dubey

CODEN (USA): IAJPBB

ISSN 2349-7750

ISSN: 2349-7750

INDO AMERICAN JOURNAL OF

PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
Available online at: http://www.iajps.com

Research Article

COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF THREE INDIAN

MEDICINAL PLANTS FOR THEIR ANTIULCER AND
ANTI- OXIDANT ACTIVITIES IN ALBINO RAT
1

Dr. Shweta Sao*1, Saurabh Dubey2

Department of Life science, Dr. C. V. Raman University, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India, 495001.
2
Shambhunath Institute of Pharmacy, Jhalwa, Allahabad, U.P.

Abstract:
India has a vast variety of medicinal plants. Medicinal plants synthesize variety of phytochemical that helps to
defend against wide variety of bacterial, viral and various other types of infections. The synthesized also has
anticancer and antioxidant properties. Use of plant as a source of medicine has been an ancient practice and is
important component of health system in India. General public, academic and government interest in traditional
medicine is growing rapidly due to increase side effects of adverse drug reactions and cost factor of modern system
of medicine. The present study focuses on comparison of three Indian medicinal plants Jetropha curcas, Argemone
maxicana and Nyctanthes arbor-tristis for their antiulcer and antioxidant activities.
Key words: Anti-oxidant, Anti-cancer, Phytochemical

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Shweta Sao*,
Department of Life science,
Dr. C. V. Raman University,
Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India, 495001.
drshwetasao@gmail.com.
Mob No. 9425548503

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Please cite this article in press as Shweta Sao and Saurabh Dubey, Comparative Evaluation of Three Indian
Medicinal Plants for Their Antiulcer and Anti- Oxidant Activities in Albino Rat, Indo Am. J. P. Sci, 2016; 3(8).

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IAJPS 2016, 3 (8), 788-793

Shweta Sao and Saurabh Dubey

INTRODUCTION:
Herbal drugs are used for primary health care, not
only in rural areas in developing countries, but also in
developed as well, where modern medicine is
predominantly used. Herbal medicines are used by
60% of worlds population, while the traditional
medicines are derived from medicinal plants,
minerals and organic matter, the herbal drugs are
prepared from medicinal plants only.
In western countries also the use of herbal medicine
is growing rapidly with approximately 40% of
population reporting use of herbs to treat diseases
within past years. General public, academic and
government interest in traditional medicine is
growing rapidly due to increased side effects of
adverse drug reactions and cost factor of modern
system of medicine.
Plants have evolved the ability to synthesize chemical
compounds that help them defend against attack from
a wide variety of microorganisms, insects and
animals. Some of these compounds whilst toxic to
plant predators, they may have beneficial effects
when used to treat human diseases.
The present study includes three Indian medicinal
plants namely- Jetropha curcas, Argemone maxicana,
and Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, for their comparative
analysis of Anti-cancer and Antioxidant properties in
albino rats.
1-Jetropha curcas -: Jetropha is a group of flowering
plant belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. In 2007
Goldman Sachs cited Jetropha curcas as one of the
best candidate for future biodiesel production. It is
resistant to draught and pests and produces seeds
containing 27 to 40% oil. Igbinosa et al demonstrated
potential broad spectrum antimicrobial activity of this
plant.Phytochemical analysis of J. curcas shows the
presence of Steroids, Flavonoids, Alkaloids,
Saponins, Triterpenoids, Tannins and Carbohydrates.
Studies also shows that J. curcas extracts shows
significant wound healing activity in gastric ulcer.
2-Argemone maxicana-: Argemone maxicana (
Maxican poppy, Maxican prickly poppy) is a species
of flowering plant
belonging to
family
Papavaraceae. Maxican oil called argemone oil or
Katkar oil contains toxic alkaloids sanguinarine
and
dihydrosanguinarine,
four
quartenary
isoquinoline
alkaloidsdehydrocorydalmine,
jatrorrhizine, columbamine and oxyberberine have
been isolated from whole plant of Argemone
maxicana. As a popular medicinal herb in India,
where it is known as Satyanashi, it is used for
cough, asthama, phlegm, in throat dysentery and
rheumatism. The seeds are expectorant, sedative, and
seed oil is purgative. Researches shows that maxican
poppy may be useful in treating cancer and certain
alkaloids inhibit viruses, bacteria and fungi.

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3-Nyctanthes arbor-tristis-: Nyctanthes arbor-tristis

(night flowering jasmine) is a species of Nyctanthes.
Its leaves are antibacterial, anthelmintic, antiinflammatory, hepatoprotective, immunopotential,
antipyretic, antioxidant, and antifungal. Flowers are
diuretic anti-bilious, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory,
sedative and anti-filarial. Seeds are antibacterial,
immunomodulatory, and anti-leishmanial. Bark is
antimicrobial and stem is antipyretic and antioxidant. Phytochemical screening of N.arbor- tristis
shows the presence of alkaloids, glycosides,
saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroids which shows
significant Anti-oxidant and anti- cancer properties.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
aPlan of worki.
The objective of the present study is to
evaluate the anti-ulcer and anti-oxidant activity the
methanolic leaf extract of three Indian medicinal
plants in experimentally induced ulcer in albino
rats.
ii.
The anti-ulcer activity was detected by the
evaluation of ulcer score and ulcer index.
iii.
The Antioxidant activity was detected by
evaluating the enzymatic levels of catalase,
reduced Glutathione peroxidase, and Superoxide
dismutase.
bPlant material collection-:
Leaves of the plants were collected from the local
garden of Utthan society, Jhalwa, Allahabad.
cDrying and size reduction-:
The collected leaves were dried under shade for
one month. The dried mass were processed into
coarse powder and sieved by mesh size-12. The
granules were stored separately in a closed vessel
for extraction purpose.
dExtraction of plant material-:
The extraction of plant material was carried out in
Soxhlet extractor. The plant material to be
extracted was weighed and packed in the extractor
and heated under reflux. Heat
was supplied through heating mantle. The extract
was collected directly from round bottom flask and
solvent was evaporated using Rota flask
evaporator. The extract was filtered, concentrated
in vaccume followed by freeze storage for further
use.
eExperimental animals-:
Albino rats of either sex, weighing 180- 230 g were
selected for anti- ulcer activity. Animals were
maintained under standered condition in an animal
house approved by the committee for the purpose
of control and supervision of experiments on
animals.

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Shweta Sao and Saurabh Dubey

fEthanol induction of Gastric mucosal

ulcer-:
Healthy wister albino rats of either weighing 180230g were taken for the studies. The animals were
divided in six groups (each containing 6 animals).
The animals in all groups were kept for 24 h
fasting with free access to water and avoidance to
copulation. Group first served as normal control
group and received only distilled water. Group
second served as ulcer control group. Group third
served as standard group which received standard
anti- ulcer group. Fourth, fifth and sixth groups
received methanolic extract of Jetropha curcas,
Argemone maxicana and Nyctanthes arbor- tristis.
After one hour of treatement all rats received 1 ml
of 99.5% ethanol to induce gastric ulcer. One hour
later, the animals were sacrificed and stomachs
were removed and opened along the greater
curvature. The stomachs were gently rinsed with
water to remove the gastric contents and blood
clots.
g- Groups of Albino rats
Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4
Group 5
Group 6

Control, untreated
Ethanol induced ulcer, control
Ethanol induced ulcer treated with
standard drug (omeprazole)
Ethanol induced ulcer treated with J.
curcas leaf extract
Ethanol induced ulcer treated with A.
maxicana leaf extract
Ethanol induced ulcer treated with N.
arbor-tristis

h- Parameters accessed-: The following

parameters were accessedPhysical paremeters-:
Ulcer score
Ulcer index
Antioxidant activity-: The following enzymatic
levels were analyzed
Catalase
Reduced glutathione
Superoxide dismutase
The following arbitrary scoring system was adopted
to grade the incidence and severity of lesion.
Normal stomach0
Red coloration0.5
Spot ulcer1.0
Hemorrhagic streak1.5
Ulcers.2.0
Perforation3.0

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The catalase is a ubiquitous heme protein that

reduces hydrogen peroxide to water. Hence catalase
activity was determined by measuring decreasing
absorbance of hydrogen peroxide.
Reduced glutathione level is determined by the
method of Ellman.
The superoxide dismutase assay relies on the ability
of the enzyme to inhibit phenazine methosulphate
(PMS) mediated reduction of NBT dye. Reaction is
initiated by addition of PMS, and the increase in
absorbance at 560nm due to formation of reduced
NBT recorded on spectrophotometer. Super oxide
dismutase shows to inhibit the initial rate of PMS
induced reduction of NBT hence less absorbance
reported.
Review of LiteratureAhirrao R A 2011 showed that phytochemical
analysis of J. curcas shows the presence of steroids,
flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, triterpenoids, tannins
and carbohydrate.
Verma Nihal et al 2011 reported that the root bark
of N. arbor-tristis shows antibacterial activity against
E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
Staphyllococcus aureus and Streptococcus fecalis.
Savita G Agarawal 2013 reported that the different
solvent extracts of N. arbor-tristis shows antibacterial
activity against panel of bacteria responsible for
common microbial diseases in humans and plants.
Priya K et al 2007 reported that fresh plant material
of N. arbor-tristis had pronounced antibacterial
activity as compared to dried plant parts.
Indranil Bhattacharjee et al 2006 reported that
methanolic extract of A. maxicana showed inhibition
against gram positive and gram negative bacteria.
Ahsan et al 2009 reported that extracts of different
parts of A. maxicana shows antibacterial and toxic
activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus
subtilis, and Shigella sonnei.
Ehsan Oskoueian et al 2011 reported that the latex
and leaf extract of J. curcas showed highest
antioxidant activity. Root and latex extracts inhibited
the inducible nitric oxide synthase in macrophages
RAW 264.7, comparable to L- nitro arginine methyl
ester, indicating appreciable anti-inflammatory
activity. Cytotoxic assays results indicated the
anticancer therapeutic property of root extract against
human colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) cell lines but
cytotoxic effect on human hepatocyte was high.
Leon F. Villegas et al 1997 reported that J. curcas
extracts shows significant wound healing activity in
gastric ulcers.
Aiyelaagbe O et al 2007 reported the potency of J.
curcas plant in treating infections including sexually
transmitted diseases.

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Shweta Sao and Saurabh Dubey

IAJPS 2016, 3 (8), 788-793

ISSN 2349-7750

RESULTS:
Table 1: Evaluation of Antiulcer activity of J. curcas, A. maxicana and N. arbor-tristis leaf extract
Groups

Body
weight

180
176
188
100
185
190
185
188
180
190
195
198

Treatement

Normal
control

Ethanol
induced
ulcer

Ulcer index

Total
score

Normal
stomach
0
0
0
0
0
0
-

Red
colouration
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5

Spot
ulceration
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

Ulcer

perforation
0
3.0
0
0
0
3.0

Haemorrhagic
streaks
0
1.5
0
0
0
0

2.0
2.0
2.0
0
2.0
2.0

3.5
7.5
3.5
1.5
3.5
6.5

0.5
0
0.5
0
0.5
0
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5

0
0
0
0
0
0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1.5
0
0

0.5
0.5
0.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
3.0
1.5
1.5

187
190
196
198
191
200
197
199
196
198
195
200

standared

195
180
187
190
200
197

Argemone
maxicana

0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5

1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0

0
0
0
2.0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
0

1.5
1.5
0
0
0
1.5

3.0
3.0
1.5
2.5
1.5
3.0

199
197
180
200
187
188

N. arbortristis

0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5

1.0
0
1.0
1.0
0
1.0

0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
0

0
0
1.5
1.5
0
0

1.5
0.5
3.0
3.0
0.5
1.5

J. curcas

(0= normal stomach, 0.5= red coloration, 1.0= spot ulcer, 1.5= Hamorrhagic streak, 2.0= ulcer, 3.0=
perforation)

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Shweta Sao and Saurabh Dubey

IAJPS 2016, 3 (8), 788-793

ISSN 2349-7750

Table 2: Evaluation of Antioxidant level in ethanol induced ulcer

Groups

Superoxide dismutase

Catalase

Glutathione peroxidase

Group 1
Rat 1
Rat 2
Rat 3
Rat 4
Rat 5
Rat 6

3
3
2
1
2
1

3
3
2
1
3
2

2
3
1
2
3
1

0
1
0
0
1
0

1
1
0
1
0
0

0
1
0
0
1
0

1
1
1
1
1
3

2
3
2
1
3
2

2
2
2
1
2
3

1
0
1
2
1
1

0
1
1
1
1
2

1
1
1
2
1
2

1
2
2
1
0
0

2
1
1
1
1
0

1
1
0
0
1
1

1
1
1
2
1
1

1
2
0
2
1
2

1
1
1
1
1
1

Group 2
Rat 1
Rat 2
Rat 3
Rat 4
Rat 5
Rat 6
Group 3
Rat 1
Rat 2
Rat 3
Rat 4
Rat 5
Rat 6
Group 4
Rat 1
Rat 2
Rat 3
Rat 4
Rat 5
Rat 6
Group 5
Rat 1
Rat 2
Rat 3
Rat 4
Rat 5
Rat 6
Group 6
Rat 1
Rat 2
Rat 3
Rat 4
Rat 5
Rat 6

(3= high level, 2= moderate level, 1= low level, 0= negligible)

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Shweta Sao and Saurabh Dubey

DISCUSSION:
The levels of Catalase, Superoxide dismutase and
Glutathione peroxidase was significantly decreased in
diseased control as compared to normal group.
Administration of methanolic extract of the three
plants had shown significant increase in levels of the
three enzymes as compared to the diseased control
animals, which suggest its efficacy in preventing
various types of cancers, free radical induced damage
and ulcers.
The results led to the conclusion that leaves extract of
J. curcas, A. maxicana and N. arbor-tristis exhibited
a significant anti-ulcer activity in experimental
animals. The difference in the evaluated activity
could be due to the number or quantity of
phytochemicals present in these extracts.
It is evident from the analysis that J. curcas shows
significant antiulcer activity than A. maxicana and N.
arbor tristis.
The analysis also shows that the three medicinal
plants also show marked Antioxidant activity.
The J. curcas and N. arbor- tristis shows significant
antioxidant activity than A. maxicana.
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ISSN 2349-7750

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